Author: Pervaiz Mughal
By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR), organized an event to commemorate Morocco’s Enthronement Day. In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Moin Ul Haque highlighted the rich history and longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Morocco. He also acknowledged Morocco’s civilizational heritage and its transformation and modernization under the leadership of King Mohammed VI. Ambassador Mohamed Karmoune highlighted Morocco’s economic and social progress under King Mohammed VI, particularly in industry, tourism, renewable energy and investment. He…
By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday and discussed recent developments in the region. The two ministers exchanged views on the evolving regional situation and discussed matters of mutual interest. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation between Pakistan and Türkiye, particularly on issues requiring closer coordination and diplomatic engagement. The conversation came amid continuing political and security challenges in the region, with both countries maintaining close diplomatic contacts over developments affecting regional peace and stability. Dar and Fidan agreed that dialogue…
By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Pakistan assumed the presidency of the United Nations Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva on Monday, with Ambassador Tahir Hussain Andrabi, additional secretary for arms control and disarmament and spokesperson, presiding over the meetings on Pakistan’s behalf. Pakistan held the final presidency of the conference’s 2026 session and would therefore conclude its proceedings for the year. During its presidency, Pakistan would steer negotiations on the annual report of the CD and the corresponding resolution in the First Committee of the UN General Assembly. Pakistan had initiated consultations in its role as president of the CD. On…
By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Foreign ministers from eight Islamic countries have condemned Israel’s rejection of a proposed roadmap for implementing the US-backed plan to end the war in Gaza, warning that the move could undermine efforts to secure a lasting peace and establish a Palestinian state. The joint statement was issued on Sunday by Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The ministers said Israel’s rejection of the roadmap, as well as its opposition to Palestinian statehood, amounted to a repudiation of the wider plan and threatened to derail international efforts to end the…
The ambassador thanked Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani for attending, saying the theory put people at the heart of party leadership and governance By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong said on Wednesday that President Xi Jinping’s theory of party building was rooted in what he described as truth and ethical principles, and had placed people’s welfare at the centre of governance. Speaking at a symposium on Xi Jinping’s party-building theory, Jiang said the Communist Party of China had focused on improving people’s lives by following the principles outlined in the theory. The ambassador thanked Senate Chairman…
By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday paid tribute to the contributions of minority communities to Pakistan’s creation, development and defence, saying all citizens should work together to build and strengthen the country without discrimination on the basis of religion. The prime minister was addressing a ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad to mark National Minorities’ Day. Federal ministers, members of parliament and prominent representatives of minority communities attended the event. Shehbaz said minority communities had stood alongside Muslims and Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah during the Pakistan Movement and had continued to play a constructive…
By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States have renewed their Fulbright-Higher Education Commission partnership, with the program set to support 66 Pakistani PhD scholars over the next five years. The agreement was signed between the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan. It will cover the period from financial year 2026-27 to financial year 2031-32. The renewed partnership will continue a range of academic and professional exchange programs. These will include the Fulbright Master’s and PhD programs, the Visiting Scholar Program for post-doctoral scholars, the Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program and the…
By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Commander National Strategic Command General Syed Aamir Raza has been awarded the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military), one of Pakistan’s highest military honours. President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the award on General Raza at a ceremony held at the President’s House in Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the chiefs of the armed forces attended the ceremony. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, the chairman of the Senate, federal ministers and other senior government officials were also present. The award ceremony recognised General Raza’s services in his role as commander of the National Strategic Command.#Pakistan…
By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: The Prime Minister’s Youth Program (PMYP) and OIC-COMSTECH on Monday agreed to strengthen cooperation on youth empowerment, digital skills and entrepreneurship, with plans to establish a joint committee to coordinate initiatives targeting young people in Pakistan and other OIC member states. The understanding was reached during a meeting between PMYP Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan and OIC-COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof Dr M Iqbal Choudhary at the COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad. Senior officials from both sides also attended the meeting. The two sides agreed to work together, in line with the vision of the prime minister for…
By Pervaiz Mughal ISLAMABAD: Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has said petrol remains expensive in Pakistan, but the government has ensured that no shortage has been allowed to develop. In a statement, Malik said the situation in the neighbouring country had become so difficult that people were reportedly being given only two litres of petrol after showing their identity cards. The federal minister said the government had faced economic challenges during the Iran-US conflict, but had taken measures to ensure the continued availability of fuel in Pakistan. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had taken difficult decisions to put…